Chronograph



May 25, 1954 Filed Sept. 19, 1951 W. J. HANHART CHRONOGRAPI-I 2 Shets-Sheet 1 WILHELM Tuuus HAPIHART' May 25, 1954 w. J. HANHART CHRONOGRAPH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19 1951 mmvrok W LHE M Tuuus HMHART' Patented May 25, 1954 CHRONOGRAPH Wilhelm J. Hanhart, Gutenbach (Schwarzwald), Germany Application September 19, 1951, Serial No. 247,224

Claims.

This invention concerns a wrist watch or pocket watch constructed as a simplified chronograph with sweep second hand, which can be started, stopped and brought back to its starting point by operating buttons on the rim of the case.

There are a number of complicated chronographs in circulation. It has been tried already to construct chronographs without a minuterecorder. The balance is simply stopped, while the time-recording hand cannot be brought back to the 0-position in one move. Yet, watches, where a decrease in production costs results in bad time-recording, are not satisfactory.

The aim and subject of this invention is, in contrast to the aforementioned system, a fundamentally new design of a chronograph, with all the good qualities required of a good stop watch combined, and ofiering an essential improvement in construction not known to this day. The advantage is found in the fact that stop and return of the chronograph hand to the 0-point can be accomplished without a special pillar wheel or a gear train. In addition to this, the parts used in this new construction are not connected with the watch movement or its wheels, but form a unit which can be built into any more or less normal mass produced pocket or wrist watch movement. This means a considerable decrease in production costs. I

This improved chronograph distinguishes itself by a swinging main lever, operated from the outside of the watch case. The lever is formed so that when moved the driving and stopping of the sweep-second-wheel is caused through a coupling connected to the movement of the watch. It enforces furthermore the movement to O-position and the release of the sweep-second-wheel, while the main lever in the stop position of the second-hand can be brought into a rest position, where it is held firmly. Especially simple constructive conditions result also if the main lever operating the sweep-second-wheel is coupled directly with a coupling yoke, which, when moved, throws the sweep-second-wheel into or out of gear with the drive-wheel. The coupling yoke shifts a swinging lever, which is connected with the bearing of the drive wheel. The above mentioned main lever has a second coupling yoke, working together with the afore mentioned sweep-second-wheel. The coupling-yoke-arm is so formed that the second-hand-wheel is carried through a pin-eccentrically attached to itinto the 0-position.

Details of this invention are illustrated in the following drawings:

Fig. 1, front-view'of a chronograph constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2, the back of a chronograph, showing the parts of the invention as seen in stopped position, with the second-hand showing the measured time.

Fig. 3, view as 2, but showing the parts in the moment when the chronograph is moved back into its starting position.

Fig. 4, the view corresponds with Fig. 2 but the position of the parts are shown the moment when the chronograph-second hand is brought back to 0.

Fig. 5 is a section along line V-V of Fig. 4.

In the drawings I is the second wheel of the watch, driven by a normal watch movement. The wheel is attached to the second pivot in front of plate 2. The second pivot is lengthened for this purpose. The movement is one which is generally used. This second wheel I meshes with a transmission-wheel 3 which rests on a spring lever l fastened to the ring-frame 6 only on one end by one screw 5. l is the so-called sweepsecond-wheel and pinion on which the axle of the time measuring second hand 8 turns. This second hand is long enough to reach the end of the dial. The transmission wheel 3 is mounted on lever 4, opposite the sweep-second-wheel I, in such a way that these wheels, when the lever 4 is swung around, can be geared in and out. Through this working-process the sweep-secondwheel is started and stopped.

This starting and stopping of the sweepsecond-hand-wheel l, carrying the second-hand, is done by the swinging main-central-lever I0, which is fixed by a screw 5 to the ring-frame 6. The lever i9 is under the pressure of a spring I I also fixed. to the ring-frame c. This spring presses the lever, as seen from the rear, in a counter-clockwise direction. This lever it has a lever arm extending freely and curved on its front end. This curve forms a catch-angle with a straight portion l4, lengthened to bear on an eccentrically fixed pin IE on the sweep-secondwheel. Pin i5 turns into this curve, when lever I0 is swung around in clockwise direction. Lever it is brought thus into G-positicn, as shown in Fig. 4. The center-lever has also a circle-segment [6 on which a nose I! of lever 4 slides when lever I8 is swung around. Through this operation lever 4 is swung around in such a way that the gearing of the cog-wheels 3 and l is stopped. These wheels are in mesh if the end of lever 4 is touching the screw I8. This is possible when the main-lever l0 under the pressure of spring ll swings out so far that the nose I! glides off segment Hi. This latter position is shown in Figure 3.

The arm I 2 of the main lever It! has also a resting-place. The free end of lever 29 can drop into this place [9, if this lever is moved accordingly. This lever 28 rests turnably on the screw 2| and is under the pressure of a spring 22. These parts are also carried by ring-frame G.

The described device works as follows:

1. Stopping of the watch Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts, with the chronograph in normal operation, and with the second-hand 8 turning to measure time. Stopping the watch is done through pushing the button 21 on the pin 23 of the resting-lever 20. The lever jumps into the resting place 19 of the free lever-arm l2 and is locked there, when lever I is swung back against the spring I l. The nose I! reaches the circle-segment l6 and pushes the hammer back, so that the coupling-cogwheel 3 is out of mesh with the sweep secondwheel I, stopping thus the second hand 8. The time measured can be read without any diiiiculties.

This position corresponds with Fig. 2.

2. Putting the second-hand to O-pcsitz'on To use the chronograph again it is necessary to bring the second hand 8 back to 0-position. This is done through pushing the button 28 on pin in the direction of the arrow 26. The mainlever Ill is swinging through this operation further to the right in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 2, releasing the rest-lever 2i! and catching the pin I5, eccentrically fixed on the speed-second-wheel T, in the catch-angle of the lever-arm E2. The rest-lever is brought thus into position as shown in the print, which corresponds with the O-position of the second hand. If the button 2'! is pushed inwardly and the pressure-pin 25 is released then lever 14 is caught in rest-lever Zil and cannot fall back altogether, because of the pressure of spring H. The nose I! remains for the time being on the circ1e-segment is and permits the coupling cog-wheel 3- not driving yet-to catch the sweep-second-wheel '1. As the driving power is not yet put to work, the second hand 8 is still in a resting position-- i. e. O-pcsition.

3. Starting the second-hand The moment when new time-measurements are taken, button 28 and pressure-pin 25 are pushed quickly. Through this action the lever 20 snaps from its resting-position into the lever arm E2. The main-lever It goes, because of the pressure of spring H into a rest position. The nose i 1 slides off from segment i6 and the turning transmission-wheel 3 catches the sweep-secondwheel I, as shown in Fig. 3. The second hand starts to operate and records thus the time to be measured. The stopping-process has been explained already under one. The described operations repeat themselves every time after the watch is used in the manner described before.

As can be seen from the figures the described new construction is extraordinarily simple, parts of this unit can be assembled into one unit, which can be mounted on the ring-frame S as shown in the figures. In other words they can be built unto a normal pocket or wrist watch movement.

The individual parts can be mounted also on the plate of any such movement. It is not nec- 4 essary to build these individual parts, used for a chronograph only, into the watch-movement, a process which meant a considerable increase in price.

I claim:

1. A stop watch comprising, in combination, support means; a driven. member turnably mounted on said support means and adapted to be connected to a hand of the watch for turning the same; a pin fixed to said driven member, extending therefrom, and being spaced from the turning axis of said driven member; a driving member turnably mounted on said support means and being spaced from said driven member; an elongated bar mounted on said support means for movement between an operating position and a rest position; a transmission member turnably mounted on said bar and being movable therewith to engage said driving and driven members, when said bar is in said operating position thereof, for transmitting a drive from said driving to said driven member, so as to turn said hand, and to be spaced from said driven member when said bar is in said rest position thereof, to stop the turning of said driven member; an operating member movably mounted on said support means, engaging said bar for moving the same between said rest and operating positions thereof, and being movable between a first position, where said bar is located in said operating position thereof, and a second position, where said bar is located in said rest position thereof, said operating member having a curved portion engaging pin when said operating member is moved from said first to said second position thereof, to turn said driven member to a zero position corresponding to the position where said hand is zeroed; spring means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same towards said first position thereof so that said bar is in said rest position thereof only when said operating member is maintained against the action of said spring means in said second position thereof; and a manually operable member movably mounted on said support means and ex' tending from the watch to be manipulated by the operator, said manually operable member engaging said operating member to move the same between said first and second positions thereof so that said manually operable member need only be moved in one direction to move said operating member against the action of said spring means to said second position thereof to stop the drive to said driven member and need only be released to permit said spring means to automatically move said operating member to said first position thereof for locating said bar in said operating position thereof to transmit a drive to said driven member.

2. A stop watch comprising, in combination, support means; a driven member turnab'ly mounted on said support means and adapted to be connected to a hand of the watch for turning the same; a driving member turnably mounted on said support means and being spaced from said driven member; an elongated bar mounted on said support means for movement between an operating position and a rest position, said bar being made of a resilient material and tending to assume, by its own resiliency, said operating position thereof; a transmission member turnably mounted on said bar and being movable there with to engage said driving and driven members, when said bar is in said operating position thereof, for transmitting a drive from said driving to said driven member, so as to turn said hand, and to be spaced from said driven member when said bar is in said rest position thereof, to stop the turning of said driven member; an operating member movably mounted on said support means, engaging said bar for moving the same from said rest to said operating position thereof, and being movable between a first position, where said bar is located in said operating position thereof, and a second position, where said bar is located in said rest position thereof; and spring means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same towards said first position thereof so that said bar is in said rest position thereof only when said operating member is maintained against the action of said spring means in said second position thereof.

3. A stop watch comprising, in combination, support means; a driven member turnably mounted on said support means and adapted to be connected to a hand of the watch for turning the same; a driving member turnably mounted on said support means and being spaced from said driven member; an elongated bar mounted on said support means for movement between an operating position and a rest position; a transmission member turnably mounted on said bar and being movable therewith to engage said driving and driven members, when said bar is in said operating position thereof, for transmitting a drive from said driving to said driven member, so as to turn said hand, and to be spaced from said driven member when said bar is in said rest position thereof, to stop the turning of said driven member; an operating member movably mounted on said support means, engaging said bar for moving the same between said rest and operating positions thereof, and being movable between a first position, where said bar is located in said operating position thereof, and a second position, where said bar is located in said rest position thereof; spring means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same towards said first position thereof so that said bar is in said rest position thereof only when said operating member is maintained against the action of said spring means in said second position thereof; a manually operable member movably mounted on said support means and extending from the watch to be manipulated by the operator, said manually operable member engaging said operating member to move the same between said first and second positions thereof so that said manually operable member need only be moved in one dimotion to move said operating member against the action of said spring means to said second position thereof to stop the drive to said driven member and need only be released to permit said spring means to automatically move said operating member to said first position thereof for locating said bar in said operating position thereof to transmit a drive to said driven member; and manually operable moving means movably mounted on said support means and engaging said operating member to move the same from said first position toward said second position thereof so as to stop the drive to said driven member, whereby the stop watch may be stopped by manipulation of said moving means.

4. A stop watch comprising, in combination, support means; a driven member turnably mounted on said support means and adapted to be connected to a hand of the watch for turning the same; a pin fixed to said driven member, ex-

tending therefrom, and being spaced from the turning axis of said driven member; a driving member turnably mounted on said support means and being spaced from said driven member; an elongated bar mounted on said supportmeans for movement between an operating position and a rest position; a transmission member turnably mounted on said bar and being movable therewith to engage said driving and driven members, when said bar is in said operating position thereof, for transmitting a drive from said driving to said driven member, so as to turn said hand, and to be spaced from said driven member when said bar is in said rest position thereof, to stop the turning of said driven member; an operating member movably mounted on said support means, engaging said bar for moving the same between said rest and operating positions thereof, and being movable between a first position, where said bar is located in said operating position thereof, and a second position, where said bar is located in said rest position thereof, said operating member having a curved portion engaging said pin when said operating member is moved from said first to said second position thereof, to turn said driven member to a zero position corresponding to the position where said hand is zeroed; spring means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same towards said first position thereof so that said bar is in said rest position thereof only when said operating member is maintained against the action of said spring means in said second position thereof; a manually operable member movably mounted on said support means and extending from the watchto be manipulated by the operator, said manually operable member en-- gaging said operating member to move the same between said first and second positions thereof so that said manually operable member need only be moved in one direction to move said operating member against the action of said spring means to said second position thereof to stop the drive to said driven member and need only be released to permit said spring means to automatically move said operating member to said first position thereof for locating said bar in said operating position thereof to transmit a drive to said driven member; and manually operable moving means movably mounted on said support means and engaging said operating member to move the same from said first position toward said second position thereof so as to stop the drive to said driven member, whereby the stop watch may be stopped by manipulation of said moving means.

5. A stop watch comprising, in combination, support means; a driven member turnably mounted on said support means and adapted to be connected to a hand of the watch for turning the same; a pin fixed to said driven member, extending therefrom, and being spaced from the turning axis of said driven member; a driving member turnably mounted on said support means and being spaced from said driven member; an elongated bar mounted on said support means for movement between an operating position and a rest position, said bar being made of a resilient material and tending to assume, by its own resiliency, said operating position thereof; a transmission member turnably mounted on said bar and being movable therewith to engage said driving and driven members, when said bar is in said operating position thereof, for transmitting a drive from said driving to said driven member,

so as to turn said hand, and to be spaeed from said driven member when said bar is in said rest position thereof, to stop the turning of said driven member; an operating member movably mounted on said support means, engaging said bar for moving the same from said rest to said operating position thereof, and being movable between a firstposition, where said bar is located in said operating position thereof, and a second position, where said bar is located in said rest position thereof, said operating member having a curved portion engaging said pin when said operating member is moved from saio first to said second position thereof, to turn said driven member to a zero position corresponding to the position where said hand is zeroed; spring'means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same towards said first position thereof so that said bar is in said rest position thereof only when said operating member is maintained against the action of said spring means in said second position thereof; a manually operable member movably mounted on said support means and extending from the watch to be manipulated by the operator, said manually operable member engaging said operating member to move the same between said first and second positions thereof so that said manually operable member need only be moved in one direction to move said operating member against the action of said spring means to said second position thereof to stop the drive to said driven member and need only be released to permit said spring means to automatically move said operating member to said first position thereof for locating said bar in said operating position thereof to transmit a drive to said driven member; and manually operable moving means movably mounted on said support means and engaging said operating member to move the same from said first position toward said second position thereof so as to stop the drive to said driven member, whereby the stop Watch may bestopped by manipulation of said moving means.

Reierenoes Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 349,650 Hunter Sept. 21, 1886 466,558 Didisheim Jan. 5, 1892 FOREIGN PATENTS liuniaber Country Date 298,585 Switzerland May 16, 1940 209,394 Switzerland July 1, 1940 213,955 Switzerland June 16, 1941 

